About

Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations

$11,150

pledged of $5,000 goal

164

backers

Celebrate all things Gumby with us!

Come Celebrate Gumby With Us!

There are very few characters that elicit as much pure joy upon watching as Gumby. Anyone looking at the instantly recognizable green icon feels a smile form and a twinge of nostalgia for the groundbreaking kids show. Take a few minutes to enjoy the video below and we promise you will feel that same warm and fuzzy feeling about the classic character we all know and love.

What many people don't know is the incredible behind the scenes story of the man whose vision for characters like Gumby, Pokey, Davey, and Goliath would create so many lasting childhood memories for generations of children. This is the fascinating pictorial history of Art Clokey and his creations, meticulously chronicled and told by his son Joe and daughter-in-law Joan Rock-Clokey. It is a story that crosses decades and illuminates how this visionary storyteller developed some of the most enduring entertainment images of the 20th century.

Behind the Scenes with Art Clokey and his Animation Team in the 1960s

Art Clokey Making Magic in Front of the Camera

During the making of this book, we stumbled upon archives worth of incredible pictures that have never been seen by Gumby fans. Shots showing the life and vision of Art Clokey through decades of discovery and development on these beloved children's programs. For the first time ever we were able to have these lost treasures scanned, cleaned, and inserted into a loving tome that is befitting of the storied history of Gumby."

Art Clokey Oversees Another Iconic Gumby Moment

Animator Sarah Meyer Makes Movie Magic

Joe Clokey tells the story of his father and his wonderful creations in his own words,"These images reveal a rich and colorful history of not only the development of a pop culture icon, but the footprints of a family upon the stop motion sands of time. Through the eyes of his son, we are taken upon a journey that reveals many of the influences that would define stop motion animation for generations.

Art Clokey's Vision for Gumby Changed and Grew With Him Over the Years

“

Davey and Goliath Was Another Wonderful Art Clokey Creation

"The most fascinating life story I’ve ever known just happens to be about my dad, mom and the world famous characters they created. Art Clokey’s journey intersects and influences major touchstones of our American life. The sixty-year, behind-the-scenes story of Gumby and Davey & Goliath, interwoven with a rich tapestry of photos and rare anecdotes, weds perfectly with Art Clokey and his amazing life,” says Joe Clokey, son of Gumby creator, Art Clokey.

Art Clokey's Story is Filled with Creativity and his Vision for Gumby

The Care put into the Animation is Awe Inspiring

Joe continues, “Discover Art’s groundbreaking stop motion TV commercials in the early 50s (including his work with fellow stop motion legend Ray Harryhausen), along with over 40 hours of Gumby and Davey adventures, and art films, which opened up new avenues for all of us, the texture of which will inspire. See how stop motion super stars got their start with Clokey Productions, and then went on to work on iconic films from Star Wars, Terminator and Beetlejuice to Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and Kubo. It’s truly an honor to work with Dynamite Entertainment on this very special book.”

Harry Walton Works on a Classic Animation Scene

The Joy of Gumby Transcends Generations

Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations is currently being worked on by Joe and Joan Clokey. They are pouring hours of loving care into this book to make it the best possible tribute to both Gumby and Art Clokey. We're hoping to reach all of the Gumby fans out there with this opportunity to be a part of the creation of this important book. We are dedicated to getting this book together and out to all the supporters that helped us to make it possible here on Kickstarter. To thank you for helping us, we've put together some exciting pledge levels and cool stretch goals.

Stretch Goals!!

Special Thank You - As a thank you to all of the Gumby fans out there who are supporting this project with a pledge or by spreading the word on social media about our program we are expanding the Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Art Book from 256 pages to 300+ pages!!! This is our way of thanking everyone involved in making this incredible project a big success!

We Couldn't do this Without Your Help!

We're on the Road to Success with Your Help!

STRETCH GOAL 1: $10,000
• Everyone at the print level pledge and above ($60) will receive a rare collectible Gumby photo print showcasing one of the many incredible behind-the-scenes shots from Art Clokey’s library. ***Print to be revealed!!!

STRETCH GOAL 2: $15,000
• Everyone at the print level pledge and above ($60) will receive a second rare collectible Gumby photo print showcasing another lost image from Art Clokey’s library.
***Print to be revealed!!!

Pledge $5 or more
Thank you, Darn It!
At this reward level you will receive a free digital copy of Complete Alice in Wonderland graphic novel pdf! If you enjoy classic comic book fantasy this series will deliver a wonderful all ages tale you won't soon forget in exchange for helping us to make Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations a reality!

Bettie Boop Digital Graphic Novel

Pledge $20 or more
Digital Goodies Stash
At this reward level you will receive two more classic comics humor digital graphic novels - Boo The Cutest Dog GN pdf and Bettie Boop GN pdf! These comic book adventures are a fun way to help support the launch of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations!

Digital Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Art Book

Pledge $30 or more
Digital Gumby Imagined Art Book Hot dog! At this level you will receive a glorious digital edition of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations! Over 300 pages of pure Gumby joy and never before seen photos tell the story of this one of a kind creation.

Pledge $50 or more
Gumby Suprise KS Exclusive Hardcover Art Book Oh, boy!! This is it, a beautiful 300+ page hard cover exclusive cover edition of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations is all yours! This is an incredible exclusive edition is chock-fulla amazing color and black and white photos telling the incredible story of both Gumby and his creator, Art Clokey. It is sure to be the gem of your animation book collection. This tome is being designed personally by Joe and Joan Clokey (Art's son and daguther-in-law) and is going to be a wonderful tribute to Gumby and Art Clokey's legacy! And to make it even more exciting, this cover reveal will come during the campaign so you will have to watch our updates to see the final design! We can't wait to share this piece of essential Gumby history with you!

Pledge $100 or more
Signed KS Exclusive Hard Cover Edition Gumby fans rejoyce! Upgrade your Kickstarter Exclusive copy of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations with the signatures of Joe and Joan Clokey! This is the ultimate fan edition!

You will also receive the rewards from the previous level:
*Gumby Imagined: the Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Kickstarter Exclusive hard cover edition
*Gumby Imagined: the Story of Art Clokey and His Creations digital pdf edition
*Boo the Cutest Dog digital graphic novel & Bettie Boop digital graphic novel *Complete Alice in Wonderland digital graphic novel pdf
*Subscription to the Dynamite Newsletter
*A special "thank you" email from Joe Clokey

*See the Rewards levels for shipping information

Pledge $100 or more
Comic Shop Gumby Grab
You must be a brick & mortar or online comic book or book shop to participate in this level. At his level you will receive five copies of the Kickstarter Exclusive Hardcover Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations and five Mini Gumbitties for your customers.

*See the Rewards levels for shipping information

Five Gumbitties to Play With!

Pledge $125 or more
Bundle of Gumby Fun
Enjoy a big bundle of Gumby fun at this level! We add in a gaggle of Gumbitties (5 of the 1.75" tall flexible Gumby figures) and a hard copy of the Bettie Boop Graphic Novel! You can have your own Gumbitties to share and pose around your house.

Pledge $160 or more
Get Your Gumby On - Get your Gumby on with this level via a Gumby 60th Anniversary Gray T-Shirt! You can wear Gumby in style while reading the history of America's favorite flexible hero. Sizes Adult SM, Med, Large, XL, XXL, XXXL and Youth SM, Med, Large and XL.

Pledge $200 or more
A Piece of TV History
Wow! Own a piece of TV history in this level with the Gumby DVD TV series and a Gumby Flexible figure! Now you can play along with these classic tales on your own television.

Pledge $275 or more
Throwback Bundle
Step back in time with a one-of-a-kind nostalgic classic - The Art of Atari Hard Cover and The Art of Atari Posterbook. These two video game classics will take you back to the world of the first home video consoles and get you in the mood to read Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations!

Pledge $350 or more
Ultimate Gum-Bundle
You can be Gumby, darn it! At this level you will receive the Gumby Foam Top Hat, Gumby Canvas Tote Bag, and Gumby & Pokey Bendable Figures! This is the ultimate Gum-bundle for supporting the Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Art Book!

You say you can't get enough Gumby even now? Well luck for you we have these great Gumby Socks as add ons! All you have to do is order at the print level or above ($60) and you can add either or both of these Gumby sock styles to your order for just $15 a pair! They are available in either Mens or Womens size. Just increase your pledge by the appropriate amount and send us an email. We'll get those comfy socks out with your order!

Gumby Socks Gumby & Pokey Women's Size

Gumby Socks Gumby & Pokey Men's Size

Gumby Socks Close Up Women's Size

Gumby Socks Close Up Men's Size

Risks and challenges

Dynamite Entertainment would like to thank everyone for considering supporting Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Art Book

We are working very hard with some really fantastic contributors to get this incredible story told. Art Clokey was a pioneer of animation and we have taken painstaking steps to deliver a wonderful tribute to his work. Everyone from the writers to the editors to the designers are passionate about Gumby and the important place he has in our pop culture. Our plan to bring this wonderful story to everyone in a way that honors the vision of Art Clokey is paramount to this process. If we are funded, we will be able to move this project to press in the immediate future and deliver this one-of-a-kind tribute to you direct - the Gumby fans.

We are aiming to have the book printed and shipping to customers by November and in your hands in time for the holidays. With your help spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, and your favorite social media outlets we can do justice to a seminal piece of animation history.

Please visit us at Dynamite.com and @dynamite on Twitter for updates and the latest on Gumby!

Support

Select this reward

Pledge US$ 5 or more
About US$ 5

Thank you, Darn It!

At this reward level you will receive a free digital copy of Complete Alice in Wonderland graphic novel pdf! If you enjoy classic comic book fantasy this series will deliver a wonderful all ages tale you won't soon forget in exchange for helping us to make Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations a reality!

You will also receive a subscription to the Dynamite Newsletter and a special "thank you" email from Joe Clokey for supporting the project!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 20 or more
About US$ 20

Digital Goodies Stash

At this reward level you will receive two more classic comics humor digital graphic novels - Boo The Cutest Dog GN and Bettie Boop GN! These comic book adventures are a fun way to help support the launch of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations!

You will also receive the rewards from the previous level:
*Complete Alice in Wonderland digital graphic novel pdf
*Subscription to the Dynamite Newsletter
*A special "thank you" email from Joe Clokey

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 30 or more
About US$ 30

Digital Gumby Imagined Art Book

Hot dog! At this level you will receive a glorious digital edition of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations! Over 300 pages of pure Gumby joy and never before seen photos tell the story of this one of a kind creation.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 50 or more
About US$ 50

Gumby KS Exclusive Hardcover Art Book

Oh, boy!! This is it, a beautiful 300+ page hard cover exclusive cover edition of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations is all yours! This is an incredible exclusive edition is chock-fulla amazing color and black and white photos telling the incredible story of both Gumby and his creator, Art Clokey. It is sure to be the gem of your animation book collection. This tome is being designed personally by Joe and Joan Clokey (Art's son and daguther-in-law) and is going to be a wonderful tribute to Gumby and Art Clokey's legacy! And to make it even more exciting, this cover reveal will come during the campaign so you will have to watch our updates to see the final design! We can't wait to share this piece of essential Gumby history with you!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 100 or more
About US$ 100

Comic Shop Gumby Grab

You must be a brick & mortar or online comic book or book shop to participate in this level. At his level you will receive five copies of Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations and five Mini Gumbitties for your customers.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 125 or more
About US$ 125

Bundle of Gumby Fun

Enjoy a big bundle of Gumby fun at this level! We add in a gaggle of Gumbitties (5 of the 1.75" tall flexible Gumby figures) and a hard copy of the Bettie Boop Graphic Novel! You can have your own Gumbitties to share and pose around your house.

You will also receive the rewards from the previous level:
*Joe and Joan Clokey signatures on your Gumby hard cover
*Gumby Imagined: the Story of Art Clokey and His Creations hard cover edition
*Gumby Imagined: the Story of Art Clokey and His Creations digital pdf edition
*Boo the Cutest Dog digital graphic novel & Bettie Boop digital graphic novel
*Complete Alice in Wonderland digital graphic novel pdf
*Subscription to the Dynamite Newsletter
*A special "thank you" email from Joe Clokey

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 275 or more
About US$ 275

Throwback Bundle

Step back in time with a one-of-a-kind nostalgic classic - The Art of Atari Hard Cover and The Art of Atari Posterbook. These two video game classics will take you back to the world of the first home video consoles and get you in the mood to read Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 350 or more
About US$ 350

Ultimate Gum-Bundle

You can be Gumby, darn it! At this level you will receive the Gumby Foam Top Hat, Gumby Canvas Tote Bag, and Gumby & Pokey Bendable Figures! This is the ultimate Gum-bundle for supporting the Gumby Imagined: The Story of Art Clokey and His Creations Art Book!